4 Iranian embassy employees were declared personae non gratae in Baku. Also, an employee of a Baku-based Iranian cultural center was detained by Azeri law enforcement bodies and released after 3 hours on condition of leaving the country within 2 days.

Iran construes the actions above as a violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. “Since 2011, Azerbaijan has been either denying the entry or evicting 8 diplomatic mission employees,” Fars Iranian news agency said.

“Such actions towards the official representatives of Iran are ongoing while Tehran continues to extend strategic support to Baku in creating conditions for overland communication between Nakhijevan and Azerbaijan. Iran, however, takes no steps to adequately respond to Baku’s actions. We expect for Tehran to act in preventing the continuing unfriendly moves of Baku,” Fars said.